Foreign travel operators laud Vietnam’s visa exemptions
Travel operators attending the recently-concluded International Trade Show for Asian Travel Market (ITB Asia) hailed Vietnam’s 15-day visa exemption for tourists.
Travel operators attending the recently-concluded International Trade Show for Asian Travel Market (ITB Asia) hailed Vietnam’s 15-day visa exemption for tourists from Italy, Spain, the UK, France, Germany and Belarus.
On the sidelines of the ITB Asia, the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) convened a press conference to introduce the latest tourism incentives, including the visa exemption for several nations, improved aviation connectivity and new products to popularise Vietnam to the world.
Business and Marketing Director of Buffalo Tours Sarah Griffin said it is good news for the expatriate community living in Southeast Asia, and hoped that the Americans would benefit from the policy soon.
VNAT Deputy Director Ngo Hoai Chung said tourist arrivals in Vietnam rebounded in the third quarter following the visa waivers.
In the first haft of the year, the number of foreign tourists to the country decreased 12 percent, compared to last year. But in July, August and September, the number of foreign arrivals increased.
In September, international visitors to the country reached 626,000, an 8.3 percent increase over last year.
From now until the end of this year, Vietnam will try its best to promote its tourism marketing campaign and hold tourism fairs abroad to welcome at least the same number of tourists as last year – 7.8 million.-VNA
The number of international tourists to Vietnam bounced back in July with 593,566 arrivals, up 12.1 percent over the previous month and 5.1 percent against the same period last year.
The Government Office has announced Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam’s intention to rectify difficulties facing tourists applying for Vietnamese visa extensions.
Vietnamese expatriates, their spouses and children are able to enter Vietnam without visas as stipulated in a decree recently issued by the government.
The new regulations on visa exemption for overseas Vietnamese aim to create more favourable conditions for overseas Vietnamese to return to the home land, said Deputy Foreign Minister Vu Hong Nam.
The first and only direct service connecting the two countries at the moment is set to operate three times per week using the modern wide-body Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.
Mu Cang Chai is home to nearly 83,000 hectares of forest, including almost 60,000 hectares of unspoiled natural woodland. Recognising this potential, local authorities have embraced a holistic strategy that protects biodiversity while promoting tourism.
Phu Quoc ranks among the top 10 leading tourist islands in Asia. As the largest island in Vietnam, it boasts stunning natural beauty, with expansive coral reefs resting beneath the sea and a number of beautiful, poetic beaches such as Sao, Truong, and Khem, known for their fine white sand and crystal-clear waters.
Vietnam's national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet are among the exhibitors, promoting key destinations such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Phu Quoc, as well as distinctive tourism products.
Alexander Musikhin, Vice President of ATOR and CEO of the Intourist travel agency, highlighted Vietnam as a top destination offering a unique blend of beach holidays and cultural excursions.
According to Seoul’s Tourism Industry Department, approximately 20,000 Vietnamese visitors travel to the city each year for medical treatment. Vietnam consistently ranks among the top 10 countries with the highest number of medical tourists to Seoul.
An analysis of accommodation search data based on check-in dates for June and July revealed that Nha Trang surpassed all other destinations in popularity among Korean users.
The programme is organised by the Khanh Hoa provincial Youth Union and the “Khanh Hoa people speak English” Project, and aims to promote the culture, history, cuisine and other tourism products of Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa to international visitors.
VNAT Director General Nguyen Trung Khanh called visa a golden ticket to pulling in crowds, but he is clear that it needs coordinated efforts across multiple sectors to keep the momentum going in this fast-moving global travel scene.
As a tourism hub, Hanoi is now actively developing strategies to attract Muslim travellers. In recent years, the city has seen a notable uptick in visitors from countries with large Muslim populations.
When tourists witness firsthand the passion and care of farmers, they’re willing to pay higher prices because they see the genuine worth behind every product.
During the first five months, China continued to be Vietnam's largest source market of tourists, followed by the RoK, China’s Taiwan, the US, and Japan.
After more than three months of operation, the popularity of the free tours in Bac Ninh province shows no signs of cooling down. Many tourists return every week in hopes of experiencing all the tours and visiting every destination.
Typical products of Phu Tho are being showcased at the Lao Cai International Travel Mart 2025, held in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai from June 5-8.
Featuring 130 stalls and delegations from 120 travel agencies representing more than ten countries and territories, the event is expected to provide a platform for establishing partnerships and attracting more visitors to Lao Cai in the future.
Kicking off the festival on the evening of June 7 will be the grand music concert titled “Nha Trang Say Hi”, featuring popular artists from the trending show “Anh Trai Say Hi”. The event will be broadcast live nationwide and conclude with a fireworks display over Nha Trang Bay.
Data from Booking.com reveals that during the peak summer vacation in June and July, beach trips continue to be a top priority for Vietnamese travellers.
The northern midland province of Phu Tho has carried out all-round measures to improve tourism infrastructure, services, and offerings, elevating visitor experience and reinforcing the province’s unique cultural identity.
Hanoi has directed lodging providers and tourist destinations to bolster preparations in staffing, service quality, security, and sanitation. Community-based lodging platforms such as Airbnb are also being promoted strongly to expand housing supply during the holiday period.
A Vietnamese stall at ITB Asia (Source: VNA)
